Planting K-Smart Farms in Qatar Desert... Transferring Know-How

KOTRA, together with the Ministry of Economy and Finance, announced on the 3rd that they invited the Qatar Autonomous Administration from the 26th to 31st of last month to conduct a mid-term report meeting and a study tour as part of the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP). KSP is a program that provides tailored policy advice to partner countries based on Korea's economic development experience.

On the 29th of last month, a delegation from Qatar visiting Korea listened to an official's explanation at the Big Data Center in the Gimje Smart Farm Innovation Valley.
[Photo by KOTRA]

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The project was promoted as a follow-up economic diplomacy initiative after the summit meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Emir Tamim of Qatar last year.

Qatar has established a national food security strategy to increase food self-sufficiency under its hot desert climate. Accordingly, it is highly interested in expanding smart agriculture to strengthen food security.

To this end, high-level officials including Youssef Al-Kulaifi, Director of the Agriculture and Food Department of the Qatar Autonomous Administration, as well as representatives from Qatar’s agricultural investment specialist institution Hassad Food and Qatar Development Bank (QDB), attended to discuss cooperation measures between the two countries.

The Qatar delegation visiting Korea toured smart farm sites operated by Korean companies, the Gimje Smart Farm Innovation Valley, the Rural Development Administration, and agricultural product distribution centers to receive related know-how and knowledge.

During their visit to the Gimje Smart Farm Innovation Valley, the delegation observed the real-time collection of smart farm management, environmental, and growth information by the big data center. They engaged in in-depth discussions particularly on the cultivation of tomatoes and paprika.

According to agricultural statistics published by the Qatar Statistics Authority in 2021, the demand for greenhouse cultivation is highest in the order of tomatoes, cucumbers, and paprika.

Korean smart farm companies that attended the 'Korea-Qatar Business Forum' held alongside the state visit to Qatar last year met again with Qatar Autonomous Administration officials during a roundtable to discuss cooperation measures.

The participating companies shared results from operating pilot greenhouses in Middle Eastern countries and discussed the export of related technologies and facilities.

Lee Ji-hyung, Head of KOTRA’s Economic and Trade Cooperation Division, said, "Now is the right time for Korean companies to enter Qatar, given the Qatari government’s strong will and demand to foster smart farms. Through KSP, if Korean companies provide technologies and know-how suited to Qatar’s environment, it will lay the foundation for smart farm exports."

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